Blackburn Rovers keeper Brown hoping to face Manchester United

9:58am Thursday 2nd October 2008

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KEEPER Jason Brown is determined to make the most of his Premier League adventure as he closes in on an appearance against the cream of Europe, Manchester United.

Rovers’ former Gillingham stopper was given his first top-flight start in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Newcastle and, after a more than two-year wait, knows he can’t afford to take anything for granted.

Brown, 26, moved from the Kent outfit to Ewood Park in May 2006 but, due to Brad Friedel’s exploits, has had to settle for warming the bench.

Prior to Saturday’s Premier League debut, Brown had just made one cup start but is relishing his new first-team chance Paul Robinson’s calf injury has offered.

England keeper Robinson is rated doubtful for Saturday’s visit of United, allowing Brown to dream of another moment on the big stage.

He said: “You have to look forward to it because I don’t know how long it will last for.

“I can’t take anything for granted and of course I would love to be playing against Manchester United.

“We will feel confident as well. We did not play particularly great on Saturday but if we can up it 10 to 15 per cent, we will have a chance.

“It was fantastic for me as a player to play at a club like Newcastle, in front of 50,000 fans, it was unbelievable.

“It is a shame for Robbo but I have to think of my career and hopefully I can stay in the team.”

After helping Rovers to a clean sheet after replacing Robinson early in last Wednesday’s Carling Cup win over Everton, Brown carried on in similar fashion at St James’ Park.

Michael Owen’s penalty was all that stood in the way of another zero on his goals-against column – but he reveals he believed he was going to save it.

He said: “I felt confident I could save it, but it is one of those things.

“The gaffer told me which way he goes but he put it straight down the middle.

“The boys held a very good line. If they drop too deep it makes it harder for me to come and get crosses. We felt comfortable and they never really had many shots on target.

“We most definitely should have won the game by more though.

“We never played to our full potential but that is a good thing I suppose, because we still went there and got three points.”

While Paul Ince’s men struggled to find top gear in the North East, a third successive solid defensive display will more than make up for any lack of fluidity for the Rovers boss.

Successive four-goal drubbings just a few weeks ago had many hitting the panic button but, conceding just one goal in the last three, Rovers look to have re-discovered their usual steel.

Brown said: “Zurab and Andre were fantastic when they played in midweek and obviously Chris Samba was immense at the back with Nelsen on Saturday.

“It is great for us because if we have players who can step in, it is fantastic for the club.”